Lucy Liu Discusses The Fight Against Human Trafficking

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Actress and UNICEF Ambassador Lucy Liu penned an article for USAID about the illegal trafficking of women and how young girls can be saved from such an awful fate.

Liu begins by detailing the story of Meena Haseena, a young girl who was kidnapped from her home when she was just nine years old. She was then transported to a brothel where, for the next twelve years, she was beaten and raped. When Haseena successfully ran away and contacted the police, they returned her to the brothel noting only that she should no longer be beaten.

This is not an uncommon story. Liu writes that human trafficking brings in $32 billion a year internationally. Of that number, $28 billion is from commercial sexual exploitation, a crime most commonly against women.

Liu provides this information to show the reality of the situation and to then discuss the many ways that young girls and women can be spared this unthinkable cruelty.Liu writes, “If girls are in school, they are safer from predators. In school they can understand and learn about their rights and then teach their families and communities. They are the next generation, and can help shape their societies so that gender is not a factor for discrimination and exploitation.”

The actress also encourages readers to visit USAID’s website to learn how you can help women around the world who are victims of violence.